Carlo r



(No Model.)

0. R. TAYLOR. INDEPENDENT CHECK FOB HORSES.

No. 444,677. Patented Jan. 13, 1891.

IZZY/677,501

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CARLO R. TAYLOR, OF BERLIN, IVISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO JOSIAH T. IVHITCOMB, OF SAME PLACE.

lNDEPEND ENT CHECK FOR HORSES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 444,677, dated January 13, 1891.

Application filed November 19, 1889. Serial No. 330,921. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CARLO R. TAYLOR, of Berlin, in the county of Green Lake and State of Wisconsin, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in an Independent Check to be Used on Horses; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use it, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification.

My invention relates to an improvement in an independent check for horses or other animals; and it consists of a chin-plate of sheet metal, which is attached to the throatlatch of the bridle by a loop at its upper and narrow end, thence extending downward on the under side of the jaw to the chin or lower lip of the horse. At its lower end this plate is enlarged sufficient] to allow for an orifice for the passage of the spurs on the spurplate. The spur-plate, of the same material as the chin-plate and similar in shape and attached to the chin-plate on the under side by rivets or otherwise, is enlarged at its lower end to correspond with the chin-plate, and is provided with spurs which turn upward and pass through the orifice in the chin-plate. The rein-lugs are attached to the spur-plate, extending upward on either side of the chinplate to receive the checkrein or overdrawline. A spring is placed between the chin plate and spur-plate to prevent the spurs coming in contact with the chin except on a downward motion of the head.

The object of my invention is to dispense with the secret bit or any other bit as far as checking horses is concerned, and break up the habit of hogging on the bit and tripping or kicking while in the harness.

In using myinvention on very vicious horses it is well to have a line attached to the overdraw and in the hands of the driver, so that he may use it with what severity the case may require to fully subdue the animal.

In ordinary use on a driving-horse the check should be attached to an overdraw, the tension of which can be regulated by the driver and should be only sufficient to pre vent the downward or sidewise motion of the head beyond what is required to make a pleasant and comfortable driver, the spurs remaining in the proper position, to which he at once accommodates himself. The independent check is attached to and becomes a part of the bridle, it being connected to the throat-latch by the loop at its upper end and to the checkrein or overdraw at its lower or chin end.

The accompanying drawings represent my, invention.

The same letters represent the same parts E represents the spur-plate, which is attached to the chin-plate about midway from upper to lower end of the chin-plate and extending downward on the under side of the chin-plate to allow the spurs to pass through the orifice in the chin-plate. This spur-plate is supplied at its lower end with spurs, which may be formed of and are part of the plate, or are attached thereto.

0 represents the spurs, which are attached to or a part of the spur-plate.

D represents spiral or other spring between the chin-plate and spur-plate at their lower extremity to keep them apart except on press ure downward.

E represents the rein-lugs, which are attached to the spur-plate, extending upward on either side of the chin-plate, to which the the harness. The horse on whom this method of checking is used soon gets accustomed to it and into the habit of resting and pressing on the bit, bringing a constant strain on the check-line and pad-hook. Neither does this method prevent kicking.

By the use of myinvention the habit of kicking is entirely broken up and cured. The strain on the pad-hook is removed When the horse once tests it, and he at once carries himself in a natural and unrestrained style.

It is Well known that horses When in harness cannot kick without adownward motion of the head. 'With my invention attached to the bridle, when that motion is attempted the pressure on the overdraW brings the spurs in contact With the chin in proportion to the strain on the overdraw, and prevents kicking.

Having thus described my invention, I ciairn A chin-plate A, notched at its upper end, having an orifice at its lower extremity, and having attached thereto the spur-plate B, provided with spurs, the spring D, and rein-lugs E, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

CARLO R. TAYLOR.

Witnesses:

JOHN J. Wool), J r., GEORGE HEANEY. 

